Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake

For the longest time I've wanted to visit this mountain. In a span of 10 years, friends have climbed the long route, pre-4 x 4 cars, some the short cut route and I always had to do something else. Had to finish a job, or just be somewhere else. I guess things indeed happen for a reason. I am glad that I waited because I was able to experience this one with my daughter. It is her first mountain climbing adventure and I am glad I am with her to share this experience. This climb also marked a special time in my life.

The crater lake was a magnificent site to behold. Digital dslrs can only capture a 2D. The vast expanse engulfs your being as you approach the crater lake. Nature's strength and beauty surrounding you 360 degrees, puts things in perspective of how small we are yet still a part of the greater scheme of things.

While hiking through the trail to arrive here, the trails were marked with lahar and ash stocked up to create a new landscape-- a moonscape I would imagine. There were intermittent pounding in my heart and day-after-tomorrow thoughts as we walk through the gorge of gray ash and it started to drizzle. A visual essay is posted at my other blog Pinay Mountain Chef.

The gateway to Mt. Pinatubo is Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac, while talking to Mang Orlan our guide he mentioned that they are preparing for a barrio fiesta on the 16th. Hmmm I thought and smiled to myself. Do you believe in coincidence?

Take nothing

Take nothing but pictures

Leave nothing but foot prints

Kill nothing but time

--Baltimore Grotto

Take nothing but the water of the other group

Leave nothing but TP

Kill nothing but "kuko"

--MM

just remembering the memorable quotes from MM's newsletter which I thought previously as "Tarakyatayo". Visit Our Simple Joys by Ruby Bayan.

Plants vs Mowers

One of my favorite pictures.

Taken before we unsuccessfully mow the lawn of friend at Renton. The neighbor whom we borrowed the mower got out of his house and cut the grass himself after hearing us trying to struggle to cut the grass.

Congratulations AG

You are a living inspiration. Congratulations AG Sano!

Declared as the newest WWF Hero.

wanderlust

Been bitten by wanderlust for the past few days. Just booked two international trips for the whole family!

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Ongpin

We had Chinese New Year dinner at President's Tea House along Salazar St. at Ongpin- Manila's China Town. The food was good you can view it in my other blog Pinay Mt. Chef.

Despite a fully loaded workday trying to beat that 5 PM exodus of people, still wasn't able to leave early. In the trains at around 6:30 ish sardine time at the MRT. Arrive at carriedo station and took a "kuliglig" to Ongpin.

It's dinner with good friends and why do we go accross town braving traffic and congestion of masses people on the streets?

The belief is that on new year's eve, it is very lucky if you will be able to witness the dragon dance. Here in the photo was the only encounter with a dragon. A small boy inside trying to run around the streets with this dragon head. I think they just finished a dance.

The night cap was coffee and chance to chat with my buddy it was her birthday.

Walking the streets of Ongpin... the air was full of beating of the drums, people buying lucky charms and filing long line just to buy "tikoy". We even bumped into our dear neighbors along the way. The night was warm and Manila's streets are alive with life.

It was intoxicating. Love it!

Relax, off you go

This morning I tried the fb application and see what God would like to say to me today:

"Yes, of course, you want to control so everything happens in just the way you want it. But at the end of the day, we control nothing, - it's all in God's hands, - has always been, and will always be. So, do what you can, and then let go, and let God handle the rest."

True. I realized that we do plan our lives, plan our travels, budget our finances, schedule this and that. But eventually in the greater scheme of things...there are other things that is not under our control. Sometimes we think we influence the outcome by our own efforts by our "strategic planning" but in the end we should also prepare ourselves and our hearts that not everything will can be controlled.

The grace is to be able to accept what happens. Not like "trying-not-to-have-a-heart-attack-mode" just trying to accept what happened. I can just imagine someone here hahaha.

Anyway, there you go. I guess this is my message to relax let go and that He will take care of the rest.

Yey.

celebrate each moment

The Columbia River

Pondering on beginnings. Anywhere we find ourselves in this journey, we try to think of where we are going or where we are from. We often forget to enjoy the moment that is given to us. It is indeed a joy to the spirit just to enjoy what we have before us. Celebrate life. Yes despite the trails, hardships, or problems we encounter each day is something to celebrate and be thankful for. What we have is now. I just we just need to make the best of it. There will be moments happier than others. But it is the difficult times that make us appreciate the happy moments more.